Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli, center, was injured when he was hit with a foul tip during the first inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays. (April 26, 2013) Photo Credit: AP

MINNEAPOLIS - It's as if, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said by phone Thursday morning, "our team bus hit a black cat on the way to spring training."

Thursday brought more injury news to the Yankees as Cashman disclosed that catcher Francisco Cervelli, out with a broken right hand since April 27, will be shut down for two weeks because of a "stress reaction" in his throwing elbow.

He said Cervelli, whose rehab had progressed to the point that he was taking batting practice and catching some of the simulated at-bats taken recently by Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, had an "old stress fracture'' in the elbow that was "acting up.''

An MRI taken a couple of days ago showed the stress reaction -- basically an overuse injury that could portend a broken bone if not addressed -- Joe Girardi said.

The Yankees had hoped that Cervelli might make it back to the team in the days leading up to the All-Star break, and if not then, shortly afterward. Now, Girardi said, Cervelli figures to be out at least until August.

The Yankees already had been in the market for catching help in advance of the trade deadline. They figure to double those efforts in the coming weeks with their latest injury setback.

"The results aren't anything of importance right now," Cashman said. "Is he physically healthy? Is he getting his reps in? Is he moving the way he's supposed to?"

The GM said the reports he's gotten so far say the answers to those questions are yes. A-Rod worked out Thursday in Charleston, S.C., and is scheduled to make his third rehab appearance Friday in Lakeland, Fla., with Class A Tampa.

Jeter 'anxious'

After working out Thursday morning at the team's minor- league complex in Tampa, Derek Jeter (ankle) said he feels close to starting a rehab assignment and is "anxious" to do so, according to The Associated Press.

Jeter said he has done "everything" necessary to get him ready for rehab games, including taking full rounds of BP and running the bases. He began doing the latter earlier in the week.

Curtis Granderson (broken left pinkie) swung a weighted pipe underwater Thursday morning in Tampa, the first time he's done so in his rehab. He has been playing catch and recently began catching return throws.

Nuñez before break?

Girardi said Eduardo Nuñez (left oblique strain), who went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts in a rehab game with Double-A Trenton Thursday night, could be back before the All-Star break.